Four days after a Class IX student of St Elias High School in Khar slapped his principal,the school has decided to counsel the student instead of meting out any punishment. However,the education department claims they plan to investigate the incident by talking to students and teachers.

The incident occurred on Monday morning,when the school was conducting an Algebra exam. The exam began at 7am and the boy finished answering his exam in two hours. School officials said the boy had disturbed other students. The school principal scolded him and asked him to leave the premises. The boy then verbally abused the principal and slapped her.

A complaint was lodged at the Khar police station on Monday but the principal said she did not wish to punish the student. We have not expelled the boy,he is still our student. I have just lodged a non-cognisable complaint at Khar police station for my safety. However,I have requested the police not to take action against the student. We want to counsel the boy, the principal said. The principal said expelling the boy from school would ruin his life and that the school was looking to reform him. School officials said the student is a problem child and was warned several times by his teachers and the principal. We spoke to the principal of the school to verify the matter and she said the incident did occur but she has decided not to punish or expel the child. The principal informed us that the boy is addicted to alcohol and that they are trying to reform him. It is the principals prerogative to decide what action she wants to take against the student. Still,we will investigate case in our way, said P R Pawar,education inspector,west zone.